for 7 th- 12 th graders Brought to you by: Brittane Williams Brandi Williams Alicia Golden Marie Jean-Baptiste Introducing…

Types of Peer Relationships  Friendships - Casual -Close-Platonic  Cliques  Dating Relationships

Casual Friendships Casual friends are peers with whom you feel socially connected. *(These friendships, however, do not fill some of the deeper needs humans have.) Casual friends are peers with whom you feel socially connected. *(These friendships, however, do not fill some of the deeper needs humans have.)

Close Friendships A close friend is more likely to share with you what he or she is really feeling and thinking and, in turn, make you feel comfortable doing the same. You may trust a close friend with your secrets or go to this person when you are hurting, confused, or in trouble. He or she might give you honest criticism and provide encouragement. A close friend is more likely to share with you what he or she is really feeling and thinking and, in turn, make you feel comfortable doing the same. You may trust a close friend with your secrets or go to this person when you are hurting, confused, or in trouble. He or she might give you honest criticism and provide encouragement.

Platonic Relationships A platonic friendship is a relationship with a member of the opposite gender in which there is affection, but no sexual activity. A platonic friendship is a relationship with a member of the opposite gender in which there is affection, but no sexual activity.

Cliques A clique is a small, narrow circle of friends, usually with similar backgrounds or tastes, that excludes people they view as outsiders. A clique is a small, narrow circle of friends, usually with similar backgrounds or tastes, that excludes people they view as outsiders.

Cliques In Action! _Cliques/ /#ml=fi%3D%26fpl%3D184495%26o%3D12

Negative Impacts of Cliques Clique members may treat non-members with disrespect. Clique members may treat non-members with disrespect. Being part of a clique can be damaging because members are often discouraged from thinking and acting as individuals. Being part of a clique can be damaging because members are often discouraged from thinking and acting as individuals. You might be pressured to do things that go against your values. You might be pressured to do things that go against your values.

Clique members may also be missing out on the benefits of meeting and interacting with a variety of people, which is important to an individual’s social health. Clique members may also be missing out on the benefits of meeting and interacting with a variety of people, which is important to an individual’s social health. The beliefs and actions of cliques are prejudicial The beliefs and actions of cliques are prejudicial Rejecting others based on superficial differences is damaging and can be damaging to clique members in the long run. Rejecting others based on superficial differences is damaging and can be damaging to clique members in the long run.

Dating Relationships Benefits of Dating include: Benefits of Dating include: It teaches interpersonal skills It teaches interpersonal skills It helps substitute other types of relationships (i.e. familial, close friendships), therefore, eliminating their importance. It helps substitute other types of relationships (i.e. familial, close friendships), therefore, eliminating their importance. It aids in recognition of your strengths and weaknesses It aids in recognition of your strengths and weaknesses

Peer Pressure in Relationships Peer Pressure- The control and influence people your age may have over you Peer Pressure- The control and influence people your age may have over you Negative Peer Influence Negative Peer Influence Manipulation Manipulation Positive Peer Pressure Positive Peer Pressure

Types of Manipulation Mocking or teasing the person in mean or hurtful ways. Mocking or teasing the person in mean or hurtful ways. Bargaining, or offering to make a deal to get what one wants. Bargaining, or offering to make a deal to get what one wants. Bribing, or promising money or favors if the person will do what another asks of him or her. Bribing, or promising money or favors if the person will do what another asks of him or her. Using guilt trips to get desired results Using guilt trips to get desired results

Making threats, or using words that show a person intends to use violence or some other negative means to get his or her way. Making threats, or using words that show a person intends to use violence or some other negative means to get his or her way. Using blackmail, or threatening to reveal some damaging information if the person does not conform. Using blackmail, or threatening to reveal some damaging information if the person does not conform. Using flattery or undeserved praise to influence another person. Using flattery or undeserved praise to influence another person.

Things that Teens are Pressured into Doing

1. Having Sex 2. Taking Drugs 3. Drinking Alcohol 4. Stealing 5. Violence 6. Dieting 7. Sneaking Out 8. Conforming To A Group

Top Reasons Teens Choose to Drink

Ways to Respond to Negative Peer Pressure “The Passive Way”- Giving up, giving in, or backing down without standing up for your own rights and needs. “The Passive Way”- Giving up, giving in, or backing down without standing up for your own rights and needs. “The Aggressive Way”- Overly forceful, pushy, hostile, or otherwise attacking in approach. “The Aggressive Way”- Overly forceful, pushy, hostile, or otherwise attacking in approach. “The Assertive Way”- Standing up for your own rights, in firm but positive ways. “The Assertive Way”- Standing up for your own rights, in firm but positive ways.

Assertive Refusal (Best way to combat negative peer pressure!) State your position simply but firmly. (All you need to say is “No, I don’t want to.” Then give an honest reason why you don’t want to participate. State your position simply but firmly. (All you need to say is “No, I don’t want to.” Then give an honest reason why you don’t want to participate. Suggest alternatives to the behavior being proposed. Suggest alternatives to the behavior being proposed. Back up your words with actions. (Use strong body language and maintain eye contact.) Back up your words with actions. (Use strong body language and maintain eye contact.)

Positive Peer Influence The positive peer pressure includes an atmosphere that helps develop social skills and an environment that allows the person to feel safe by surrounding him/herself with people who share similar attributes and interests. The positive peer pressure includes an atmosphere that helps develop social skills and an environment that allows the person to feel safe by surrounding him/herself with people who share similar attributes and interests. Positive peer pressure is a being encouraged to do something that will be beneficial to ones self and/ or others. Positive peer pressure is a being encouraged to do something that will be beneficial to ones self and/ or others.

Ways to Encourage Positive Peer Influences Doing community service Doing community service Establishing good eating habits Establishing good eating habits Obeying school and parents’ rules Obeying school and parents’ rules Getting to know people outside of your usual group of friends Getting to know people outside of your usual group of friends Respecting others’ decisions Respecting others’ decisions